Cider festival: The Prospect on U Street hosts a cider festival from Monday to Friday. Guests are treated to complimentary samples from different companies like Bold Rock Hard Cider, the Standard Cider Company, and Sonoma Cider. Look for tap takeovers, and a “hog wing” pairing special ($14) with three ciders offered each day.

Mardi Gras: Washington will feel a little more like New Orleans on Fat Tuesday, with a variety of Mardi Gras celebrations going down across the city. Check out our guide for where to find king cakes, block parties, hurricanes, jambalaya, and all the beads you can handle.

Happy New Year: The Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated at restaurants around Washington this week (and at some for the whole month). See our guide to feasts at the Source,Zengo, and more.

Evening affair: Kick off Valentine’s weekend with a soiree at Masseria on Friday from 10:30 pm to 1 am. Guests are asked to dress for the occasion, which includes free-flowing sparkling wine from Ca’ d’Or Franciacorta. Masks, glowing candles, and a dance-friendly soundtrack all add to the festive vibe. Tickets ($75) are available online.

Kolaches are coming: Good news for anyone who’s braved the lines at Republic Kolache’s pop-ups: the pastry operation is opening a regular weekend stall at Union Market, through March or longer. The stand opens this Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm, and will serve a mix of sweet and savory kolaches and Topo Chico, a.k.a. “the cult-favorite mineral water of Texas,” according to co-owner Chris Svetlik.